Switch throwing device



Sept. 29, 1931. J. J. MILTON SWITCH THROWING DEVICE Filed Feb. 4, 1929 Fig.1

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Patented Sept. 29, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN L. IJIILTGN, 0F LOUISVILQE, KENTUCKY, .EiSfiIGNQB TO GHEATI-IAIM ELECTRIC SWIIOEIIIXIG DEVICE 00;, U1 LG'UISVILLE, KENTUCKY swrrcn Trrnowine' DEVICE Application filed February 4, 1929. Serial 310. 337,423.

Mv invention relates to improvements in switch throwing devices in which the switch point of a railway track is thrown from one position to another; and the object of my improvement is toprovide an effective cushioning device between the switch point and the operating means to minimize the strains due to the shock that occurs in the operation of a switch throwing device in which no cushioning means is provided.

I attain this object by the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which v r igure 1 is a plan viewof a preferred form of the apparatus as it appears after the removal of a lid or cover, not shown.

Fig. 2 is a center cross-sectional view of the switch box, track and movable point and some of the operating means shownin full view.

Fig. 3 is a combined full and cross-sectional view of the major parts involving the improvement.

The ground box or container 1 is placed in the ground adjacent the rail 2 which carries the usual switch point 3 which is connected to magnetic plunger 4 of ground magnet 5 through link 6, secured to switch point 3 by nuts 6a, 6?), U link 7, lever 8, pin 9, yoke 10, nonmagnetic link 11, the enlarged ends 11a being embedded in a cushioning medium 12 which is held securely in place by cap 13, which in turn is secured to plunger 4. Ground magnet 5 is provided with two solenoids encased in a magnetic shell, each section of which can be energized from an external source so as to magnetically influence plunger 4 for the purpose of exerting mechanical force on to the movable parts, all of which is a well known expedient in electric switch throwing art.

l Vith the plunger 4} reciprocating in a definite axial guide in the form of a nonmagnetic tube it has been necessary to provide a swinging link between said plunger and a lever 8 in this version so as to compensate for the are formed by the operation of this lever which is pivoted on pin 8a. By having the end 11a of link 11 embeddedina cushioning means, preferably rubber, thls link will not only adjust itself to the are formed by the movement of lever 8 and indicated by line a-,a, but forms a highly desirable cushioning means between the operating plunger 4 and the operating switch point 3 whichminimizes the shock and producesnot only long life for the various parts but admits of a lighter structure.

vVhile' rubber is preferably used for the cushioning medium as illustrated and deplunger connected to said switch through said cushion. 3. In an electrically operated switch throwlng device comprlslng a solenoid and a mag netic plunger, said plunger being connected to said switch through an elastic cushioncarried by said plunger. 4:. In an electrically operated switch throwing device comprising a solenoid and a magnetic plunger, said plunger being connected to said switch through a link mounted on an elastic cushion carried by said plunger.

5. In an electrically operated switch throwing device comprising a solenoid and a magnetic plunger, said plunger being connected to said switch through a floating link connected to said plunger by an elastic medium. 6. In an electrically operated switch throwing device comprising a solenoid and a magnetic plunger, said plunger being connected to said switch through a cushioned coupling comprising a plurality of metallic members forming a cavity attached to and forming a part of a driving body, adapted for linear travel, a driven member extending into the KIM twullllll till lililllwuu cavity and constituting therewith opposed surfaces within the confines of the cavity, cushioning means interposed between the driving and driven members.

7. In an electrically operated switch throwing device comprising a solenoid and a magnetic plunger, said plunger being connected to said switch through a cushioned coupling comprising a plurality of metallic members forming a cavity attached to and forming a part of a driving body, adapted for linear travel, a driven member extending into the cavity and constituting therewith opposed surfaces within the confines of the cavity, cushioning means interposed between the driving and driven members, and means for holding said driving and driven members and the cushioning means in co-operative relation.

8. In an electrically operated switch throwing device comprising a solenoid and a magnetic plunger, said plunger being connected to said switch through a cushioned coupling comprising a plurality of metallic members forming a cavity attached to and forming a part of a driving body, adapted for linear travel, a metallic connecting member extend ing into the cavity and constituting therewith opposed surfaces within the confines of the cavity, cushioning means interposed between said surfaces, and means for holding said surfaces and the cushioning means in co-operative relation, the said surfaces and the cushioning means being arranged to resist relative motion between the driving and driven members.

9. In an electrically operated switch throwing device comprising a solenoid and a magnetic plunger, said plunger being connected to said switch through a cushioned coupling comprising a plurality of metallic members forming a cavity attached to and forming a part of a driving body, adapted for linear travel, a driven member extending into the cavity and through a cushioning means, said driving and driven members constituting opposed surfaces within the confines of the cavity, the cushioning means being interposed between the said opposed surfaces.

10. In an electrically operated switch throwing device comprising a solenoid and a magnetic plunger, said plunger being connected to said switch through a cushioned coupling comprising a plurality of metallic members forming a cavity attached to and forming a part of a driving body, adapted for linear travel, a driven member extending into the cavity and through a cushioning means, said driving and driven members eonstituting opposed surfaces within the confines of the cavity, the cushioning means being interposed between the said opposed surfaces, and means for holding said surfaces and the cushioning means in co-operative relation.

11. A cushioned coupling comprising a JOHN L. MIL ION. 

